'Jimmy the Jet' gets big State of Origin boost

Scans have cleared NSW hopeful James Roberts of injury but the jury is out on how many Brisbane teammates will be picked for Queensland in the State of Origin opener.

The Broncos say Roberts is fit for selection for Origin I on June 6 in Melbourne despite the centre limping off in the second half of Thursday night's NRL win over Parramatta.

The X-factor left the field as a precaution with a left-ankle niggle and an ongoing achilles complaint in the same leg.

"James has had a precautionary scan today and there was no significant damage found," Broncos high-performance manager Jeremy Hickmans said.

"He does have some soreness in the achilles area but that is something we have been monitoring for a period of time now."

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett said Roberts had been nursing the injury since the pre-season but claimed the strike centre would not be a fitness concern before the Blues team was named on Monday.

"It flares up every day but he will be right. I am sure he will play Origin if he gets picked," he said.

But it remains to be seen how many Broncos will feature for the Maroons.

The only years Brisbane players have not featured in a Queensland side were 1995 and 1997 during the Super League war.

And traditional powerhouse Brisbane's Queensland representation looks set to take a hit this year, with Matt Gillett (neck) out of the series and fellow Test backrower Josh McGuire (ankle) battling to be fit for game one.